2017 MMTA PRIME Award Recipient Announced

Posted on Oct 11, 2017

John Globensky, City of Grand Rapids Treasurer, was awarded the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association (MMTA) most prestigious honor, the Professional Recognition In Municipal Excellence (PRIME) Award.

John received the award at the MMTA 38th Annual Fall Conference held at the Crystal Mountain Resort in northern Michigan on October 10, 2017. The PRIME Award annually recognizes an individual member for outstanding service to his or her profession, community, and the Association. The recipient is selected by their peers within the MMTA. Eight members were nominated for this year’s award from MMTA’s 900 members.

John has been a member of MMTA since 2009; his first hands-on exposure to MMTA was when he started Basic Institute in 2011, where he served as his class leader. John believes that the 100 hours of instruction provided over the three year Basic program was “the best preparation for my professional development.”

Former PRIME recipient Cheryl Rhein O’Neill, Oregon Township Treasurer and MMTA Past President, noted that “John’s willingness to always share knowledge and information with other treasury professionals helped solidify his selection as this year’s PRIME recipient.” She further commented that “John’s dedication to supporting the continued growth and development of the City of Grand Rapids as well as the MMTA is evidenced through his personal and professional achievements.”

John joined the City of Grand Rapids in May 2009 and held the positions of Investment Analyst and Administrative Analyst prior to being appointed City Treasurer in May 2014. He has earned certifications as a Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (CPFIM) through the Association of Public Treasurers of the U.S. and Canada (APT US&C), and his Michigan Certified Public Treasurer (MiCPT) certification through MMTA. Having earned enough credits to apply, he looks forward to being awarded the Certified Public Finance Administrator (CPFA) certification through APT US&C in the near future.

His professional accomplishments over the past three years include “certifying the City’s investment policy, upgrading technology, and playing a vital role with the City’s vision of becoming a ‘Digital First’ city.”

John is a strong believer in MMTA’s role of supporting constant improvement within the municipal treasury profession. “Each day is a learning experience, and I’m blessed to have the connection with the MMTA members … everyone’s questions and input are extremely valuable as we learn and shape the practices and policies that impact our communities.”

John enjoys speaking at conferences, with his most recent presentation “Organizational Cash Handling” first received at the 2017 Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado. John remarks, “I’m passionate about sharing information and discussing topics that impact our communities.” He also serves on the Michigan GFOA Legislative Committee.

John has a strong commitment to community, especially as it intersects with his passion of finance. He believes that personal finance should be taught both to teenagers and to couples who are planning to marry, and is working with his church leadership to begin offering such a program.